Simon Nixon: Unlike Auckland, we have a say

Simon Nixon

Very soon the people of Hawke's Bay will have to decide on the future shape of local government in this area.

A major claim made by the Local Government Commission and echoed by others is that one council will provide Hawke's Bay with a stronger voice, especially when dealing with central Government. The interesting thing is many of those making such a claim are, or have been, our representatives already. Perhaps their support for amalgamation is actually an admission of failure and they are simply trying to bury their past failures by creating a new council. After all, it will take many years before the failures or success of amalgamation become apparent.

Both the Mayor of Hastings and Deputy Mayor Cynthia Bowers are about to start their third decade on council, nearly 15 of those in their present very powerful positions. For eight of those years, the mayor has also been president of Local Government New Zealand, a position that he tells us puts him in weekly contact with the Prime Minister. This surely is as a strong a voice as we are ever likely to have. Remember, the mayor reminds us ad nauseam of just how badly we are doing compared with the rest of New Zealand.

There are others who also seem to have failed us. We have been represented in Parliament by Craig Foss and Chris Tremain, two enthusiastic amalgamation supporters. Both emblazoned their vehicles with the statement "Supporting the Bay" and both were cabinet ministers, surely an excellent position to have pushed Hawke's Bay's case. There is scant evidence of their making any great achievements benefiting Hawke's Bay.

Another recent writer casting aspersions on non-amalgamation supporters was former Tukituki MP Rick Barker, who spent from 1993 to 2005 representing us, and also occupying a cabinet position in the Clark/Cullen Labour Government. For the record, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Michael Cullen also resided here during this time. Other than building a new courthouse in Hastings, there is little evidence Rick made any significant difference to our economic performance. Even when he and Russell Fairbrother lost their seats, prompting a panic visit by Prime Minister Clark, supported by an entourage of ministers and MPs, nothing actually changed.

A couple of other regular writers are former regional councillor Ewan McGregor, the husband of Hastings Deputy Mayor Cynthia Bowers, and John Harrison, a very successful businessman. I cannot remember either Ewan or John pushing for amalgamation when they were councillors.

Clearly, the idea we will have a stronger voice with Government after amalgamation is utter rubbish. The problem is not the structure of local government but the very people who have convinced us they are the right people to represent us.

As already mentioned, the mayor and deputy mayor of Hastings are now starting their third decade, Rick Barker has reinvented as a regional councillor, while Craig Foss is now in his fourth term as local MP. Perhaps these people, who have already had their opportunity to give us a stronger voice with central government, could now explain why they have failed?

It should be remembered that Mayor Yule has expressed interest in the top elected position, if all five councils are merged. Unfortunately, he has not given an undertaking he will not take on other roles at the same time. There are no statutory limitations to stop this happening. History suggests if indeed he does become mayor of Hawke's Bay, there will be no improvement in our fortunes.

While the mayor points out the Hastings District Council is the only one to support amalgamation, the full story has not been disclosed. For a start, fully one-third of councillors are either totally opposed or have serious reservations about the whole proposal, while about half have at least some concerns. The support is driven by a small "tight five" group, who almost always vote as a block to support Mayor Yule.

It's unclear at this stage what the likely outcome will be, though there are clear indications it could fail. The Local Government Commission refused to release the results of their phone survey but a privately commissioned survey showed significant opposition.

This issue will dictate the future of Hawke's Bay. It must not be decided by a minority who may not represent the true feelings of the majority. Unlike the Auckland merger, we at least have a choice, and every one of us must ensure we take advantage of this opportunity to make our wishes known. Then, once the outcome is known, we must all accept the result and get on with making Hawke's Bay a better place.

-Simon Nixon is a Hastings District councillor.

-Business and civic leaders, organisers, experts in their field and interest groups can contribute opinions. The views expressed here are the writer's personal opinion, and not the newspaper's. Email: editor@hbtoday.co.nz.